Engineering Biology's Vital Role for Climate Mitigation

Abstract

This paper examines the potential role of engineering biology in contributing to climate mitigation through the de-fossilisation of fuels, chemicals, materials and food systems. Although significant progress is being made in de-fossilising energy via renewable electricity generation, other more carbon-centric sectors—notably transport, chemicals and agriculture—remain predominantly fossil-based. Despite sustained policy support, biofuels currently supply just 3.5% of global transport energy demand, whereas sustainable aviation fuel remains below 1% of global jet fuel supply. Similarly, only around 1% of plastics and polymers are bio-based. Replacing fossil carbon with renewable carbon remains a significant commercial challenge. Constraints include feedstock availability, sustainability concerns, capital intensity, certification requirements and policy uncertainty. The paper discusses how engineering biology—encompassing advances in synthetic biology, bioprocess engineering and electro-biological systems—may offer potentially transformative technological options and innovative commercial opportunities. It concludes that the contribution of engineering biology to climate mitigation will depend not on technical developments and investment alone but also on their integration into economically viable supply chains and the presence of stable long-term policy frameworks supporting investment and deployment at scale.